There are few cities on earth that offer as much as Beijing. The Chinese capital has a history going back thousands of years and is full of significant landmarks such as the forbidden City and the great Wall. If you want to dive into Chinese history and culture, then Beijing is the place to do so — there are endless things to do in Beijing, you’ll never be bored, and you’ll be continuously learning something new.
In addition to its storied past, Beijing is also catapulting into the future at breakneck speed. futuristic skyscrapers dominate the landscape of the city’s central business District, standing in stark contrast to the traditional courtyard homes tucked away in the city’s hutong (alleyways).
Indeed, Beijing is a city that appears to have one foot firmly planted in the past and another in the future, making the present a very interesting place.
There are so many remarkable things to do in Beijing that one could spend a lifetime in the city and not do it all. I should know, having spent over five years calling the Chinese capital home. As a part-time English teacher and avid explorer, I was fortunate enough to have plenty of time to experience all that this fascinating city has to offer.
After spending so much time in Beijing and doing so much there, I know it better than my own hometown.
In this guide, I’ll take you on a tour of the best things to do in Beijing. I’ll also make sure to include plenty of tips to help you make the most out of your check out and not get stuck at tourist traps. So get your chopstick skills up to par, lace up your walking shoes, and let’s do this.
Table of Contents
1. check out Tiananmen Square
2. get lost in the Hutong
3. Feast on Peking Duck (one of the best things to do in Beijing!)
4. walk through the forbidden City
5. explore the 798 Art District
6. cruise around the Lakes
7. Climb the great Wall
8. Experience Chinese culture in local Parks
9. Climb to the top of Jingshan Hill
10. Go temple Hopping
11. shop til you drop in the Silk Market
12. check out the summer Palace
13. Take a Craft Brewery Tour
14. cheer on the local Teams
15. check out Olympic Park
16. See the remarkable Acrobats
17. stroll the Wangfujing night Market
18. check Out Some Museums
19. Climb the Drum and Bell Towers
20. Hike in the Mountains
21. party it Up
Now You know What To do in Beijing!
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1. check out Tiananmen Square
When it comes to the top things to do in Beijing, our journey has to begin in Tiananmen Square. This is the heart of the country, as it’s the place where Mao Zedong founded the modern-day People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
For Chinese people, there’s no place more important than this. many Chinese dream of one day making it to Beijing to check out Tiananmen Square, just as many Americans hope to see the White house at some point in their life. each day of the year, the square is packed full of tourists, both domestic and international, who come to see the sights in and around the square.
If you’re up for it, I recommend getting up before sunrise to make it to Tiananmen Square for the daily flag-raising ceremony. once it’s over, you can grab some breakfast and coffee outside of the square and then head back in to take it all in. important landmarks here include the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, and the great Hall of the People.
In case you were wondering, the name of the square actually means “The gate of Heavenly Peace.” This refers to the gate that’s actually right across the street from the square, which you’ll pass on your way into the forbidden City. Don’t worry, we’ll get to that later on in our last of the best things to do in Beijing.
Tiananmen Square is free to check out and is open each day of the week from 5AM-10PM. the best way to get here is by taking subway Line 1 to either Tiananmen station.
Another option is to join a full-day tour which takes in a few Beijing attractions — Tiananmen Square, forbidden City and the great Wall. Click here to learn more.
Before you can enjoy all the best things to do in Beijing, you need to get from the airport to your hotel! For non-Mandarin speaking people, getting around China can be a challenge. Plus, if you’re arriving from an international destination, you’ll be exhausted and ready for a simple way to get to your hotel. Click here to learn more about a private transportation option — it’s the comfortable, affordable and safe way to get from the Beijing airport to your accommodation.
2. get lost in the Hutong
Beijing is a city that is struggling to retain its traditional identity while modernizingat the same time. many of the city’s old neighborhoods are being bulldozed to make way for high-rises and shopping malls. As such, it’s getting harder and harder to find what locals refer to as “lao Beijing” (old Beijing) with each passing day.
If you want to step into a time machine on your check out to Beijing, then I suggest getting lost in the city’s hutong (alleyways). These narrow alleys – with their traditional courtyard homes and shops – are not only the residences but also the social centre of life for many Beijingers.
Take a walk down a Beijing hutong, and you’ll see old men playing chess (often in their pajamas), women hanging up laundry, and children playing in the streets. stop by a hole-in-the-wall restaurant for a bowl of noodles before continuing on your journey through old Beijing. get deep enough in the hutong, and you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’re back in the early 1900s.
Not surprisingly, modernization and gentrification have moved into the hutong as well. several hutong have been given a face-lift and are now full of trendy shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. One known as NLGX (short for Nanluoguxiang) is a bit of a tourist zoo these days, but it’s still fun to check out. I also recommend taking a stroll up Wudaoying, as it’s a bit more laid back.
See Also: Tibetan Monlam festival in China – A guide For Travellers
3. Feast on Peking Duck (one of the best things to do in Beijing!)
Without a doubt, one of the tastiest things to do in Beijing is feasting on the Imperial Bird – Peking roast duck. This is far and away the most famous dish from the capital, and for good reason. A good Peking duck dinner is a culinary experience like no other.
There are plenty of restaurants cooking up the famous fowl, but my personal recommendation goes to Da Dong. You might have to wait in line for a table here, but they pour free boxed wine for you while you wait. Score! You also get to watch the masters at work as they prepare the ducks.
Order up a whole duck and a few side dishes, and then watch as they carve it up right by your table. Your waiter will school you on the proper way to eat it as well. It really is an remarkable experience and a real treat for your taste buds.
Da Dong has many locations, so check the listing to see which is closest to you. I always went to the one located at 1-2/F, Nanxincang international Plaza, 22A Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng District.
For other tasty Chinese foods, check out this cool tour which takes you around Beijing by tuk-tuk to find the smaller, family-run places.
See also: budget guide to Backpacking China
4. walk through the forbidden City
Once upon a time, the forbidden City was home to the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This enormous complex served as the official residence of the emperor and it was also the political centre of China for nearly 500 years.
It’s not forbidden these days, with around 15 million people visiting annually. Upon entering the forbidden City, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by its size. After all, the place covers nearly 180 acres and has about 8,000 different rooms!
A walk through the forbidden City is high atop the list of things to do in Beijing for just about every visitor. It takes a good couple of hours to really see the whole place, so take your time. walking through the giant courtyards, I always like to imagine what it must have been like to have this entire place to yourself with thousands of servants. must have been nice to be the emperor!
The forbidden City is located at 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng District. the best way to get there is by subway Line 1 via either Tiananmen station. It’s open from 8:30-5PM from April to October, and it closes half an hour earlier the rest of the year. To avoid waiting in enormous lineups to purchase your entrance ticket, get your ticket online here.
5. explore the 798 Art District
For a completely different, more modern look at Beijing, head to the 798 Art District. Housed among decommissioned military factories, this funky art zone provides a fascinating contrast between the city’s past and present.
After the factories went into decline in the 80s, they just sat there abandoned. Eventually, artists began moving in and opening studios. In an ode to the area’s past, many of the Mao-era slogans that were meant to encourage workers were kept in place.
There are always new galleries and exhibits coming to 798, so it’s a place you can return to again and again. When I lived in Beijing, it was one of my favourite places to hang out. You’ll find plenty of nice cafes and bars here as well, so make a day of it and take your time exploring.
The 798 Art district is located at 2 Jiuxianqiao Rd, Chaoyang District. Your best bet is to just take a cab there, as it’s not very close to any subway stations and the bus system is confusing unless you can read the Chinese language.
6. cruise around the Lakes
Right in the middle of Beijing, there are three man-made lakes that are collectively known as Shichahai. long ago, these lakes served as a playground for the royal family. These days, they’re popular with young Chinese locals, tourists, and expats.
To move around the three lakes, you have a few options. Of course, you can just walk and go at your own pace. You can also find bicycles for rent if you prefer to move a bit quicker and get some exercise. Finally, you can pay a rickshaw driver to take you on a tour of the lakes and the surrounding hutong. just be prepared to bargain, as they’ll likely give you a ridiculous price if you’re a foreign tourist.
The best way to enjoy the lakes, though, is by renting a boat and leisurely cruising around. buy a bag full of Yanjing beers and some snacks, and you’ve got yourself a fun afternoon out in Beijing. Stick around for sunset and then get out of dodge before all the bars start blasting offensively loud music. Head instead around the corner to my friends’ restaurant and bar called 4corners. It’s an amazing place for dinner, drinks, and live music.
7. Climb the great Wall
One of the most popular things to do in Beijing is visiting the great wall of China. Climbing atop one of the seven Wonders of the world is sure to be a major highlight of your trip. A word of warning, however – not all sections of the wall are actually great.
Originally built to keep out Mongolian invaders, the great wall is now the most famous tourist attraction in all of China. You won’t find any Mongolian soldiers these days, but you will find an abundance of selfie-stick waving tourists on many sections.
Whatever you do, do not under any circumstances check out the Badaling section of the wall. This Disney-fied version of the great wall is basically a giant tourist trap, and I recommend avoiding it and visiting another part instead.
For a relatively hassle-free and enjoyable great wall experience, I recommend the Mutianyu section. If you’re looking for a bit more adventure and want to hike the rugged wall, you can head instead to the Jinshanling, Simatai, or Gubeikou sections of the wall. We actually went camping on the great wall at Gubeikou, and it remains one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.
8. Experience Chinese culture in local Parks
If you want to soak up a bit of the local culture and not feel trapped in a tourist bubble, I recommend checking out a few local parks during your trip to Beijing. Although the city gets a bad rap for its air pollution (it really is pretty awful), it’s actually home to several green spaces.
Since most people in Beijing live in enormous concrete high-rises, they like to congregate in parks for social activities. Take a stroll in a Beijing park, and you’re sure to see people practicing tai chi, playing chess, doing a bit of water calligraphy, or just busting a move in a group dance.
There are tons of different parks to choose from, but if you’re only going to check out one I suggest Chaoyang Park. What central Park is to new York, Chaoyang Park is to Beijing. It’s a great escape from the never-ending traffic, noise, and construction on the city streets.
There’s plenty to do in